Who are they?

Who are they?

The first woman modeling for Monokini 2.0 project was Sirpa, a courageous woman from the board of Finnish Breast Cancer Association. After publishing Sirpa’s photo, we received a lot of interest from women in the project.

All the models for the project are women who have contacted us after seeing the Monokini 2.0 photographs that we have released online. Modeling for a swimsuit photo shooting is a big step for anyone, and especially for women who have gone through radical changes in their bodies. For that reason Monokini 2.0 team consider that all the models of the project have shown great spirit and personal strength.

We are amazed by the courage of these women!

Sirpa

Sirpa

swimsuit design by Haikala & Metteri (Tärähtäneet Ämmät):

“When we first got this idea from Ms Elina Halttunen (the woman with only one breast and passion for swimming) we were blown away! We fell in love with this project in a second. The issues within ideal beauty have been one of the main topics in our art work for several years. Nothing is more interesting than digging deep into our cultures norms of what is considered beautiful and accepted and what is not. Our swimwear is the first Monokini 2.0 ever designed, and we wanted to play around with the concept of a beach and swimwear in the spirit of Helmut Newton.”

——

“On my long and sometimes tough journey with breast cancer, Monokini 2.0 project has been an amazing experience. I hope that my picture will give strenght, belief and courage to the women gone trough mastectomy: womanhood is not about all breasts (or not having them). I hope that within this project the discussion of these matters will become easier and more natural.”

– Sirpa

Milsse

Milsse

swimsuit design by Haikala & metteri (Tärähtäneet Ämmät)

—-

“Being part of this project has been very empowering and I thank you for that! I hope that trought these pictures everyone can find strenght, courage and certitude to endorse her/him self. Everyone is perfect exactly as they are!”

– Milsse

Kristiina

Kristiina

swimsuit design by
Outi les Pyy:

“I got excited about Monokini 2.0 -project immediately, when The Nutty Tarts / Tärähtäneet ämmät introduced this idea to me. I felt really grateful that I was given the opportunity to participate this project. It gave me a chance to think about the different and interesting aspects about femininity, which plays a huge role in work as a underwear designer. Designing a swimsuit for Virve gave me new ideas about nudity and modesty.”

—–

“I am so happy and proud that I can be part of this important and amazing project. Thank you!”

– Kristiina

Marjaana

Marjaana

swimsuit design by
sasu kauppi:

“I wanted to contribute to this project simply because of it’s value as an important cause.”

Sasu Kauppi

—–

“Cancer has drilled holes to my bones and taken away my breast, that’s all. I don’t let it in my mind to steal all the precious things in me. I’ve heard from many people “you are so brave”, but with you, first time, I really felt like it. ‘To indefinite and beyond’.”

– Marjaana

Elina

Elina

Swimsuit design by
Elina Halttunen:

“The idea of Monokini 2.0 was born out of a need for clothing down as much as possible during a persistent heat wave. Having only one breast made finding fitting bikinis difficult, therefore I fashioned my own Monokini 2.0. Having done that, I thought that maybe there would be others out there like me, women who wanted swimwear that would not make them feel that they were missing a breast. Besides, being one-breasted creates great possibilities for cool swimwear design.”

—–

“I do not want to hide, I do not want to stop swimming, I do not want to undergo extensive plastic surgery operations, and I do not want to be forced to use the uncomfortable prosthesis on the beach. I want to feel as free and active as I did before my cancer, and Monokini 2.0 gives me a chance to do exactly that.”

– Elina

Virve

Virve

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
TYRA THERMAN:

“I got excited about Monokini 2.0 -project immediately, when The Nutty Tarts / Tärähtäneet ämmät introduced this idea to me. I felt really grateful that I was given the opportunity to participate this project. It gave me a chance to think about the different and interesting aspects about femininity, which plays a huge role in work as a underwear designer. Designing a swimsuit for Virve gave me new ideas about nudity and modesty.”

—

“It was an amazing experience to be part of a project as great as this. I hope my participation gives strenght and courage to my sisters in same situation. Living with one breast can be amazing!”

– Virve

Katja

Katja

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
MERT OTSAMO:

“When the artistic team of Monokini 2.0 told me about their project I was touched by the idea. Courage and strenght were the two words that I had in my mind when thinking of these women. Those two words in my mind I designed my version of Monokini 2.0. I’m happy for the publicity and the positive feedback that this project have gained. Monokini 2.0 models deserve that all!”

Reetta

Reetta

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
VILMA RIITIJOKI:

“I wanted to be a designer in this project because I am a swimmer who cannot swim and I do not wear a bra. When I started my fashion studies eight years ago I dreamed of designing a swimming suit. My Monokini 2.0 is hand made of fishing supplies. We are all swimming in the same water, we all have our missions and we all are perfect. There is someone waiting to catch us with their net, no matter if we have none, one, two or three breasts. I believe this project will open up a new perspective to humanity and inner beauty. Respect.”

V I L M A V A

—-

“This is absolutely the most remarcable project that I’ve ever seen, heard, or been part of; considering that there is no need to see women with mastectomy as sad persons. It shows that project has achieved maybe even more that it originally was planned. Happy and proud to be part of it, a big thank you!”

/ Reetta

Camilla

Camilla

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
TIMO RISSANEN:

“When the invitation to participate came, I’d followed Monokini 2.0 on Facebook for a couple of months and was deeply moved by the models. The thought of getting in front of a camera in a swimsuit is scary for most of us. Here are women whose bodies defy the narrow ideals we’ve collectively set for them, and yet they are modeling swimwear with a twinkle in their eyes. Thank you for the privilege Nutty Tarts and Camilla.”

Timo Rissanen

—-

“When I heard about this project I knew I HAVE TO participate in it! I knew I had to challenge myself to do this, just had to. We´ve been watching Top Model (USA) for soooo many seasons now with my kids, it looks so easy to get a good pic….so this was extremely fun to try out what it´s really is like. I did find out pretty quickly that posing isn´t easy at all, just a simple pose was hard work 🙂 You really have to put your soul into this, otherwise the photo´s don´t turn out that good at all. But, I loved it !!! This was my moment of glory (since I´ve never even been married…) somebody did my make-up, my hair, told me what to wear… The team really made me look good and the were lots of fun to work with. Thank you for having me and guess what, I love the photo of myself. :)”

– Camilla

Solja

Solja

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
KAKSITVÅ:

“KAKSITVÅ is part of Monokini 2.0 because we love hot ladies in swimming suits.”

Kaisa

Kaisa

SWIMSUIT DESIGN BY
teemu muurimäki:

Designer Teemu Muurimäki is Finnish designer who has been working i.a. for such designer houses like Dolce&Gabbana and Armani. He is well known for his evening gowns and his own men’s clothing brand Formal Friday.